Aviva Premiership
Redpath: Tindall has to earn new deal
ESPNscrum Staff
October 27, 2011
Gloucester centre Mike Tindall looks for support, Gloucester v La Rochelle, Amlin Challenge Cup, Kingsholm, Gloucester, December 19, 2010
Tindall faces competition for places at Kingsholm © Getty Images
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Gloucester's Bryan Redpath has challenged England centre Mike Tindall to earn a new contract at Kingsholm.

The 33-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season and with the likes of Henry Trinder and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu able to fill the outside centre berth, Tindall's reputation may not be reason enough to earn him a new deal for the Cherry and Whites.

"He hasn't struck a blow in anger this year for Gloucester," Redpath told the Daily Telegraph. "This is going to be his first chance to play, play and develop and then put his hand up and say I want to play more, I want to play well and want to keep playing rugby.

"If Mike plays well there is no reason not to keep him on for another year but, if he doesn't, then we sit down and have a discussion and I say: 'Mate, it's not right for Gloucester rugby.'"

Tindall endured a World Cup filled with media attention on and off the field but Redpath has backed the 75-cap centre to put right any wrongs on the pitch for Gloucester. Redpath said: "Every player that is out of contract has an opportunity to play well to further his career here.

"He has done well to stay in that [England] mix. He's a battler ... it's one of his strengths, his durability. He's had a lot of knocks but he's got the mental strength to take the criticism and keep going."

Meanwhile at Kingsholm, lock Will James has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the Cherry and Whites. The former Welsh international has made over 100 appearances for Gloucester and he admitted the new contract was a weight off his mind.

"I'm delighted," James said. "It's good for me that I've got this year and next year and can just concentrate on the rugby. I'm over the moon.

"Some guys are quite laid back about it when they're in a contract year but, personally, I don't like to worry about these things and risk have it affect my performance on the pitch. I'm glad it's out of the way and it's a weight off my mind."

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